William Lara Fonseca '28

William Lara Fonseca’s passion for chemistry began long before he entered a laboratory. Inspired by hours spent cooking alongside his mother, he discovered that developing compounds requires the same experimentation and attention to detail that goes into perfecting a favorite recipe. 

“My mom is my biggest supporter, and having our memories while I do chemistry strengthens my love for it. While cooking, my mom taught me that there is an order, precision and patience for cooking,” he said. “The same parallel goes with chemistry; we are not just mixing chemicals; we have a plan for when to do things. We measure compounds so their ratios can be right, practicing precision."

“This inspired me to pursue biochemistry because I get the best of both worlds: making compounds, then later optimizing them just as my mom makes recipes and makes them better as she goes,” Lara Fonseca added.  

That passion led him to seek research opportunities almost immediately after arriving at UNCW. An email to Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Sridhar Varadarajan opened the door. Intrigued by the professor’s work, Lara Fonseca reached out during his first semester. Although much of the advanced research was unfamiliar, he remained eager to learn. After shadowing a graduate student in the lab, he immersed himself in the field and was offered a position as an undergraduate research assistant the following semester. 

“From that day, I have shown up every day to the lab and have been dedicated and grateful for that day when I was given the opportunity to learn in his lab,” he said. 

Lara Fonseca’s research focuses on developing treatments for prostate cancer while reducing the harmful side effects often associated with chemotherapy. His work contributes to a broader effort to better understand medicinal chemistry, DNA binding, DNA methylation and drug design, he said.  

“My ultimate hope is that our research contributes to the understanding of different aspects of medicinal chemistry, where over time it can help us develop a drug that can treat cancer and help most people struggling with cancer,” Lara Fonseca said. 

His dedication has earned several honors, including the highly selective American Chemical Society Catalyst Scholarship, UNCW’s Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the university's Support for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award and UnitedHealthcare Foundation Scholarship. 

Outside the lab, Lara Fonseca is involved in campus life. He considers Centro Hispano his “home away from home” and participates in organizations including the Minority Association for Pre-Health Students, Futuros en STEM, Ritmo Latino, Centro Hispano Embajadores and the Hispanic Latinx Student Union, where he was elected president as a sophomore. 

“The most rewarding part of my college journey thus far has been having the privilege and opportunity to give back to my community,” he said. 

As a mentor in UNCW’s Pre-College Mentoring Program and a supplemental instruction leader for Organic Chemistry II, he enjoys helping students navigate challenges and achieve their goals. He will graduate in 2028 and plans to pursue a doctorate to continue conducting research that advances drug discovery. In the future, he hopes to work at the forefront of medicinal chemistry within the pharmaceutical industry. 

“Coming from immigrant parents who sacrificed stability, comfort and even their own dreams so I could have the privilege to strive for mine means the entire world to me,” he said. “The education that I am receiving at UNCW is more than an education; it symbolizes sacrifice, struggle and dreams that I didn’t know were possible.” 

As UNCW celebrates National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8, we are sharing the stories of first-generation Seahawks whose determination and accomplishments strengthen our campus and community. The annual celebration honors the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and recognizes the contributions of first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni nationwide. Visit the First-Generation Program’s website to learn more about campus resources and events.